7 Apps for Hacking Black Friday

When you spend Thanksgiving Day dreaming of doorbusters and markdowns instead of turkey and stuffing, Black Friday likely feels like a holiday in and of itself. To a true shopaholic, there's something inherently satisfying about pushing, shoving and trampling—or, for some, surfing and clicking—your way to the deepest discounts of the year. If that gift list threatens to do major damage to your budget; however, a well-thought-out plan of attack is the best way to cross off items quickly and to minimize the agony of the wallet woes. These are the mobile apps that will help solidify your strategy.

1. RSS Newsreader

Hundreds of websites and blogs post Black Friday deals weeks in advance so you have plenty of time to design your plan of attack. Compile your favorites using the sites' RSS feeds into the RSS Newsreader app so you stay updated on the deals broadcast in every post launched into cyberspace.

2. Shopfully

Leave the weekly ads at home and fire up Shopfully to refer back to electronic versions of the sales circulars. Most big name retailers are included, and you can browse ads or search by keyword. Built-in GPS mapping pinpoints the address, hours and phone numbers of the stores, and favorites ads can be saved for offline access later. Be sure to also configure the app's alerts so you're notified of any last-minute price cuts.

3. ChatON

If you're employing the buddy system in your shopping strategy, ChatON features free text, voice and video messaging. You can also make announcements to the whole group using the app's Broadcast feature. When it comes to the chaos and crowds of Black Friday shopping, however, it's the app's one-tap, real-time location sharing functionality that really makes it shine.

4. Expense Manager HandWallet

To keep track of your spending, Expense Manager HandWallet will give you real-time expense reports, regardless of your data connection. Search functionality makes it easy to find past transactions; you can manage checking, credit cards, an e-wallet account and even gift cards. The whole thing is password-protected so you're not in danger of losing secure data while you're navigating the madness.

5. Barcode Scanner

When you stumble upon an unplanned deal, make sure it's worth your attention by scanning the bar code or QR code with Barcode Scanner. The app uses your mobile device's camera functionality for scanning, then searches the Web for product pricing and other information. Scanned information is also automatically copied to the app's history, so you won't lose a deal you've already found.

6. Samsung Wallet

Leave the overflowing wallet at home and minimize the clutter with Samsung Wallet, which organizes your coupons, loyalty cards and customer memberships in electronic form. The app automatically groups data by category so it's easy to locate when you're at the front of a long line, and card and coupon information can be entered manually or via the app's bar code scanning feature.

7. AroundMe

Whether you're preparing for the oncoming storm or taking a much-needed break, sometimes Black Friday shopping simply begs for refreshments. With AroundMe, use your current GPS location to search for local coffee shops, convenience stores, fast food restaurants and other nearby establishments. In some cases, you'll also have access to menus, reservation functionality and customer reviews to help you make the decision about where to go.

Photo Credits: Shauna Hundeby/ Demand Media

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